Guest Opinion: Taking action to prevent sexual assault

Tuesday

Apr 22, 2014 at 3:40 PMApr 22, 2014 at 3:51 PM

The month of April holds a tremendous amount of significance for many of us — the changing of the seasons is most welcome, particularly after this year's interminably long winter. We look forward to warmer weather, the emergence of flowers, and for many of us, Opening Day at Fenway. But April is also a time of reflection and action.

Ruth Zakarin

The month of April holds a tremendous amount of significance for many of us — the changing of the seasons is most welcome, particularly after this year’s interminably long winter. We look forward to warmer weather, the emergence of flowers, and for many of us, Opening Day at Fenway. But April is also a time of reflection and action.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and for several years has served as an opportunity to begin important discussions about not just the prevalence of sexual assault, but also what all of us can do to decrease, and eventually end, sexual violence in our communities.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month has a long history, born from the efforts of many activists who sought to break the silence surrounding sexual violence. Organized protests against such violence began in the United States in 1978, with the first “Take Back the Night” marches taking place in New York and San Francisco to combat the violence women faced just by being out in public at night.

These protests evolved over time to include sexual violence perpetrated against men as well as men’s role in ending the violence. Sexual Assault Awareness Month has been observed nationally every April since 2001, and is a time for advocates and allies around the country to speak up about sexual violence, acknowledge the strength of survivors and identify how everyone can play a role in preventing sexual violence.

Fifty percent of all of the sexual assaults in the world are perpetrated against girls under the age of 15. Too often, the discussion about sexual assault focuses on what young people can do to protect themselves from being assaulted, or on blaming survivors for their own victimization. It’s time to change the conversation.

We cannot reasonably expect a school aged child or adolescent to stop an attempted sexual assault, or to manage the behavior of a sexual predator. We should not expect an adult survivor to take responsibility for someone else’s choice to assault them. When we do so, we assume the sexual violence is a norm and to be expected, and the only way to stop it is for potential victims to manage their behavior and choices.

But potential victims wouldn’t bear the burden of self protection of perpetrators didn’t perpetrate. Which is why it’s time to change the conversation, to stop blaming victims and start holding offenders accountable.

We are not alone in trying to change the message. President Obama has launched a campaign to address sexual violence on college campuses and challenging campus officials to step up their efforts to appropriately respond to survivors and hold offenders accountable. The report found that no one in America is more at risk of being raped or assaulted than college women.

And while one in five women on college campuses has been assaulted, only 12 percent of college victims ever report the assault. Which is why President Obama has also emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns to let survivors know that support is available, and prevention efforts to ensure that students can access education without fear of violence or judgment.

Additionally, schools will be held accountable if their efforts are found to be insufficient. This is a key aspect of the report, as the burden of prevention should not be on the shoulders of victims, but on all of us to create communities where sexual violence is not tolerated.

What are you willing to do to help end sexual violence? There are many ways to be an ally to victims and also aid in the prevention of sexual violence all together. New Hope is currently seeking volunteers for our medical advocacy program. For more information please contact our volunteer coordinator at 508-226-4015.

Don’t have time to volunteer? You can still help the cause. Speak up when you hear victim blaming or jokes about sexual violence. This small act can make others realize that this issue is not funny and that this behavior won’t be tolerated. You play an important role in making our world a safer place.

Ruth Zakarin, LICSW, is the Vice President of New Hope, a domestic and sexual violence program with offices in Attleboro, Taunton, Milford and Worcester. For more information about New Hope’s services, including domestic and sexual violence prevention and education programs, call 508-226-4015, or visit New Hope’s website at www.new-hope.org. Immediate support for individuals impacted by domestic or sexual violence is available 24/7 through New Hope’s hotline – 1-800-323-HOPE.